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If you are thinking about starting a healthy lifestyle, cycling might be the right choice for you. It is cheap, accessible, and you can easily adapt it to your needs. You can choose how much effort you want to put in. Whether you want to ride alone or in a group of people, recreationally or seriously, its benefits on your physical and mental health are huge. Whatever you choose, make sure to enjoy your time. Pick the right bike and learn how to cycle properly. Here are some tips you might find useful.
Benefits:
It reduces stress
Stress can slowly undermine your mental and physical health causing various disorders and even cancer. But recreational everyday cycling decreases the level of stress. Studies show that cycling to your job every day reduces your stress level up to 40%.
Cycling through nature is especially beneficial as it increases the level of endorphins and serotonin in your body. Their influence makes you more resilient to stress and helps you handle stress hormones. Consequently, the amount of stress in your body drops, which diminishes the risk of illness and improves your mood.
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It builds muscles
In order to live a safe and healthy life, exercise should be a part of your everyday routine. Cycling is a complete discipline as it provides you both aerobic and anaerobic training. It activates your heart, lungs and blood vessels, but also your muscles.
You might think cycling activates only lower body muscles, but also it also requires strong core and upper body muscles. If you choose mountain biking, the effect on the latter two is even bigger.
Helps you stay in shape
Cycling is a great way to prevent or get rid of obesity. The most important thing about losing weight is consistency. It’s more important to exercise frequently than to exercise a lot. And you are more likely to stay consistent if you enjoy what you are doing.
Cycling is more than just an exercise. You can adapt it according to your needs and personality. You can go for a ride with your friends or family, explore beautiful landscapes, breathe fresh air and have a great time while your waistline becomes slimmer and slimmer.
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How to cycle properly:
Pick up the right gear
When you are choosing what kind of bike to buy, think about what you will be using it for. If you need a bike to go to work, buy a commuter bike, or if you are looking for a comfortable and classy bike to ride through town, pick a cruiser. If you want to experience more challenging outdoor tracks, take a mountain bike. But whatever bike you choose, make sure to get the right gear.
Mountain tracks are the most demanding, so double check your gear if you decide to go for this kind of ride. You can bring zip ties, spare tubes, tire pump, or a multi-tool for any unexpected situation, but quality MTB tyres are essential for a good mountain cycling experience.
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Learn how to pedal properly
In order to improve your pedaling experience, you should learn how to pedal properly. Believe it or not, there are many pedaling techniques that make it easier for you to ride a bike. If you don’t pedal right, you will waste your energy and might even risk injury.
The correct way to do this is to direct your strength only into the downward stroke. Start pushing when your leg reaches 12 o’clock and stop it when it reaches 6 o’clock. Do this alternately with both legs to achieve the optimal usage of your strength.
Cycling is a great way to increase your physical and mental health, but also to improve your social life. This works for you especially if your job includes sitting 9 to 5. Everyday commuting to your job, riding with your friends to nature, or engaging in a challenging mountain track will all increase the frequency of your heart beats as well as the frequency your smiles. So, don’t hesitate and give it a try.
Claire is a personal and professional development expert who believes that a positive attitude is one of the keys to success. You can find her online writing and giving tips about lifestyle and development at highstylife.com. Find Claire on Facebook and Twitter